AUCKLAND'S MILK BILL

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 68, 20 March 1936, Page 5

AUCKLAND'S MILK BILL

CLAUSES UNDER INQUIRY

CHIEF AIM AND OBJECT

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

AUCKLAND, March 19.

At the sitting of the Executive Commission of Agriculture to consider certain clauses of the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Act it was explained by Mr. J. B. Johnston, who appeared for the Milk Council, that the chief powers sought were those given in Section 26, by which the council would have the right to purchase from the producers, the whole of the milk supply coming into the district. This aimed at securing economic conditions of distribution and preventing unfair practices. Section 23 gave the Milk Council general powers to engage in the handling, treating, and manufacture of milk, but the council had no intention of enforcing them so long as the trade gave fair and economic service to the public. He described many savings that would result from the amendments. The most active opponents of the legislation were the produce venders. They were in a favoured position at present, which explained their opposition.

Supporting evidence was given by the Chairman of- the Milk Council. Mr. G. W. Hutchison, who said that the council's idea was to leave the business in the hands of those now carrying it out. Section 23 was simply an "emergency strike-breaking clause."